Although you might think of bad breath as an adult problem, kids can struggle with it too. If your child frequently has bad breath, preventive dentistry treatments and services offered by Dr. Elleni Kapoor of General Dentistry 4 Kids, your children's dentist in Virginia Beach, VA, can help.
7 reasons your child may have bad breath
Bad breath can be caused by:
- Foods and Beverages: If your 10-year-old enjoys spicy foods or your teen has started drinking coffee, their food and beverage choices may be to blame for bad breath. Fortunately, your child's breath will usually improve after brushing or flossing. Bad breath may last hours after a meal if your child eats foods that contain garlic or onions.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Your child's brushing and flossing habits could be the cause of their bad breath. If your child doesn't brush thoroughly, doesn't brush twice a day, or doesn't floss once a day, they are more likely to have bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove plaque, a sticky substance that contains smelly bacteria and causes cavities.
- Tooth Decay: Although small cavities won't affect the smell of your child's breath, large cavities may cause an odor. If your child visits the dentist every six months for checkups, cavities can be diagnosed and treated when they're small and easier to treat.
- Gum Disease: Red, puffy, tender, or receding gums can be signs that your child has gum disease. As the disease progresses, bad breath can also occur. Gum disease can destroy gum tissue and the bones and ligaments that hold your child's teeth in place. Fortunately, regular brushing and flossing can reduce your child's risk of developing the disease, as can preventive dentistry visits to the Virginia Beach, VA, dental office.
- Sinus Infection: Post-nasal drip, common in sinusitis, can make your child's breath smell bad. Once the infection is successfully treated, you'll probably notice a dramatic improvement in your child's breath.
- Mouth Breathing: Saliva helps keep the mouth moist and the breath fresher. If your child breathes through their mouth, saliva dries up much faster. In addition to causing bad breath, mouth breathing may increase your child's risk of cavities, gum disease, and orthodontic problems.
- Other Issues: Diabetes, swollen tonsils, and kidney, liver, or stomach issues can also cause bad breath in kids. If your child's dentist believes that medical issues may be responsible for the bad breath, they will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Getting preventive dentistry in Virginia Beach, VA, helps keep your child's smile healthy. If your child has bad breath, toothaches, or other oral health issues, call Dr. Kapoor of General Dentistry 4 Kids at (757) 965-3333 to schedule your appointment.
